Imitation 3 2020 verses
1“I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;” I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity.
2It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad.
3I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait.
4Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind.
5Behold, therefore, O Lord, my humility and my frailty, which is altogether known to Thee.
6Be merciful unto me, and “draw me out of the mire that I sink not,” lest I ever remain cast down.
7This is what frequently throweth me backward and confoundeth me before Thee, that I am so liable to fall, so weak to resist my passions.
8And though their assault is not altogether according to my will, it is violent and grievous, and it altogether wearieth me to live thus daily in conflict.
9Herein is my infirmity made known to me, that hateful fancies always rush in far more easily than they depart.
10Oh that Thou, most mighty God of Israel, Lover of all faithful souls, wouldst look upon the labour and sorrow of Thy servant, and give him help in all things whereunto he striveth.
11Strengthen me with heavenly fortitude, lest the old man, this miserable flesh, not being yet fully subdued to the spirit, prevail to rule over me; against which I ought to strive so long as I remain in this most miserable life.
12Oh what a life is this, where tribulations and miseries cease not, where all things are full of snares and of enemies, for when one tribulation or temptation goeth, another cometh, yea, while the former conflict is yet raging others come more in number and unexpected.
13And how can the life of man be loved, seeing that it hath so many bitter things, that it is subjected to so many calamities and miseries.
14How can it be even called life, when it produces so many deaths and plagues?
15The world is often reproached because it is deceitful and vain, yet notwithstanding it is not easily given up, because the lusts of the flesh have too much rule over it.
16Some draw us to love, some to hate.
17The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, these draw to love of the world; but the punishments and miseries which righteously follow these things, bring forth hatred of the world and weariness.
18But, alas!
19an evil desire conquereth a mind given to the world, and thinketh it happiness to be under the nettles because it savoureth not nor perceiveth the sweetness of God nor the inward gracefulness of virtue.
20But they who perfectly despise the world and strive to live unto God in holy discipline, these are not ignorant of the divine sweetness promised to all who truly deny themselves and see clearly how grievously the world erreth, and in how many ways it is deceived.
